Health

Zimbabwe has experienced harsh and escalating economic challenges
which peaked in 2008. The economic decline resulted in a sharp
decrease in funding for social services. Deterioration of health
infrastructure, loss of experienced health professions, drug
shortages, and a drastic decline in the quality of health services
for the population was exacerbated by falling economic conditions.

Health at a Glance

2009

HIV prevalence
(15-49 years olds)

13.7%

Number of people requiring ART

400,000

Number of people receiving ART

180,000

Maternal mortality (per 100,000 births)

725

Infant mortality (per 1000 live births)

60

Under 5 mortality (per 1000 live births)

86

Stunting among Under 5's

35%

Source: UNICEF

The National Health Strategy (NHS,
2009-2013) reported that HIV prevalence was
at extreme levels of 13.7% (15-49 age group) with only 180,000
of an estimated 400,000 persons requiring treatment actually
receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) by
mid-2009. Maternal mortality was reported at an unacceptably
high level of 725 deaths per 100,000 births (Zimbabwe Maternal
and Peri-natal Mortality Study, 2007). Child health status indicators
were worsening, with infant mortality rising from 53 per 1000
live births in 1994 to 60 per 1000 live births in 2009 (MIMS).
The nutritional status of children had declined: The percentage
of malnourished children increased from 29.4% in 1999 to 35%
among children under 5 years old (NHS, 2009-2013). NHS (2009-2013)
also highlighted that cholera epidemics, aggravated by a country-wide
breakdown of sewage and water supply and treatment systems, claimed
4,269 lives out of 97,469 total cases by end of April 2009.

What is Children First doing to help?

A child being screened for common childhood illnesses during a routine health check-up.

Children First's health strategy consists of three components
that are delivered through partner organizations in Harare and
Umzingwane district:

Primary Health Care (School Health Assessments)

Children First screens school children for common childhood illnesses
through school health assessments in supported schools. This
screening is supported by emergency block grants provided to
local clinics to absorb consultation and medical costs for major
referral cases.

The school health assessments weighed children, measured the children's
heights, and screened for minor childhood illness like ringworms,
colds, rushes, and skin diseases. Some assessments also address
dental and vision problems, and psychological problems such as
trauma, depression and abuse. Children First works with local
organizations to ensure children are referred for necessary medical
or psychological support.

Additionally, Children First is working on plans to provide health
kits in schools to enable schools to address minor ailments and
injuries. First aid boxes will include oral rehydration mixtures,
wound dressings, and bandages.

Pediatric ART

A child receiving home-based care.

Children First supports the work of NGO partners
in initiates that seek to increase children's access to ART in
their communities. Children have long been marginalized in accessing HIV/AIDS testing
and treatment. Barriers to testing, treatment, and adherence
include transport to service sites, lack of cash to pay for services
and drugs, and lack of counselors or clinicians within the communities.
Through the Integrated Model for Pediatric AIDS Care
and Treatment (IMPACT),
Children First, Clinton Foundation and Seke Rural Home-Based
care are taking the laboratory into the community. The model
enabled Children First to reduce the time from diagnosis to initiation
of treatment from 4-6 months to approximately 2 weeks. The IMPACT Model
has been adopted by other Children First ART partners
Umizigwane AIDS Network (UAN)
and Child Protection Society (CPS),
who are continuously identifying more HIV positive
children for commencement on ART. The identification
process is complemented by strong referral and transport systems
to improve access for HIV testing, CD4
counts, initiation on ART, and treatment for
opportunistic infections.

Reproductive Health

Children First mainstreams sexual and reproductive health activities
in partner interventions. The key strategy used in meeting adolescent
and youth sexual and reproductive health needs is through youth
friendly corners. These drop-in centers are normally attached
to health clinics and offer sexual and reproductive health information
and services. Children First is piloting this integrated model
of the youth friendly corners in eight centers. The corners incorporate
livelihoods and business skills training into to alleviate household
vulnerabilities. Corners are linked with schools to involve in-school
adolescents and youths, and are liked with national entrepreneurial
youth programs and district/ward coordinating bodies to improve
alignments with structured government initiatives.

The Children First Project is implemented by World
Education, Inc.
This Project is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development
under cooperative agreement 674-A-00-08-00021-00. The information
provided on this web site is not official U.S. Government information
and does not represent the views or positions of the U.S. Agency
for International Development or the U.S. Government.